Healthy habitats in Coimbatore reserve forests
Census results indicate healthy forest systemCoimbatore:Forest department conducted the census on March 3 and 4 It involved over 90 volunteers and 120 department staff.The findings of the recent wildlife census in Coimbatore forests indicate the existence of healthy habitats in the Coimbatore reserve forests.The Coimbatore forest department conducted the census on March 3 and 4 to assess habitat conditions and plan future wildlife and forest management strategies and interventions.
Sample area
It involved over 90 volunteers and 120 department staff. Of the 294 square km area 215 square km was taken up as a sample area for the survey.The census included block count method under the direct count system while the indirect count method was done through tracing of scat and pugmarks.
Direct count system
While the direct count system was used for diurnal species, small and larger mammals such as herbivores, the indirect count of scat and pugmarks was used for nocturnal species. The census was primarily aimed at getting the presence, absence and distribution pattern of various species across the forests and ascertain their habitat requirements to plan future forest and wildlife management and intervention strategies. Under the block count method, 19 species were sighted which included barking deer (22), bison (90), black naped hare (6), bonnet macaque (29), langur species both common and nilgiris langur (32), elephants (226), sambar deer (29), spotted deer (246), wild boar (6), porcupine (1), malabar giant squirrels (38), wild dogs (6), sloth bear (1), jackal (3), jungle cat (1), leopard (2), mongoose (3), python (1) and chameleon (1).
Distribution
The census also indicated that the distribution of elephant population remained healthy with solitary males numbering 18 and 44 family herds each consisting of an average of five elephants including calves.
Water resources
In the ranges, Sirumugai, because of its vast water resources and proximity to the Nilgiris biosphere reserve, had 37 per cent elephant presence followed by Pooluvapatti and Karamadai ranges. Coimbatore jungles, because of its mix of scrub, semi-ever green and semi mixed green, moist and dry deciduous forests, proved to be an ideal habitat and the presence of elephants were at the rate of one elephant per sq km.
